The Times West Virginian

November 13, 2008

W.Va. pol wants others to learn from DUI mistake

By TOM BREEN

CHARLESTON — Herb Snyder’s political comeback is remarkable, and not just because votes are still being tallied in his state Senate race, the closest in West Virginia.

The Democrat, who holds a 228 vote lead, is also back from losing a re-election bid in 2004 after an arrest on drunken driving charges the year before.

Now, not having taken a drink in over five years, Snyder not only wants to return to the Legislature, but to introduce legislation expanding treatment and rehabilitation options for first-time DUI offenders.

Snyder says his personal history gives him a unique position to advocate for laws he says will tackle the problem of addiction at the earliest possible stage.